The Dragon | Edition Ten | 30 June 2023

THE DRAGON

From the Principal

Tina Campbell

July School Holidays are finally here, and they are a wonderful way to have a break from our regular routines and recharge our batteries, providing much-needed break time away from work or school.

The holidays offer the opportunity for exploration and adventure, allowing us to broaden our horizons by potentially discovering new places, new cultures and even new cuisines. They are a time for us to reconnect with close friends or to catch up on our sleep and to de-stress.

We might be using these three weeks as a chance to travel, to finally read that book that we’ve borrowed from the Laurence Library or to get stuck into the weeds in the garden. Our students can spend more time relaxing, there is no nightly homework to complete and by not having to think about school the next day, whether this is through checking the cleanliness of school uniforms, packing a school bag, reading SEQTA notices or preparing packed lunches – the change in routine that school holidays bring are indeed a liberating experience for everyone; staff, students and families alike.

Holidays are heaving with emotional wellbeing and bring with them numerous health benefits. Several studies over the years have proved that your body, mind, and soul all crave a chance to reset and unwind at a slower pace such as is provided by holidays and time away from set routines.

I hope that for some part of these holidays there is scheduled family time, creating family memories with relaxed conversations, disconnected from social media and the internet and sharing more smiles and laughter and maybe even a chance to truly appreciate and be grateful for the many people that we each have in our lives that we call family.

For our Year 12s it is equally important that they take a break these holidays. They are now over halfway through their final year of schooling and need to have time away from their books whilst also preparing themselves for the increased demands of Term Three. My recommendation is to ensure that they spend as much time doing social things, and spending time outside, in nature as they do studying these holidays. In this way they will commence Term

See all the Lincoln Charity Day photos on Pages 8 and 9.

Three prepared for its demands but equally feeling well rested, rejuvenated and refreshed; all crucial components for a successful Year 12 journey.

Term Three sees us move to a focus on ‘Optimism’ as part of our G.R.O.W. theme for the 2023 School Year. An optimistic attitude helps us to be happier, to have hope, to become more confident and to cultivate greater success in our lives. It helps us to view opportunities in every difficulty that we might face along the way. Optimistic people expect good things to happen and seek to look on the bright side of life.

This optimism was indeed apparent at the smiles, fun and laughter displayed in abundance at the Lincoln Charity Day today to

School Operations

Shannon Allen

What a jam-packed, exciting and diverse Term Two it has been –filled full of the St George’s spirit.

We were excited to release our Term Three Co-Curricular program last Friday and look forward to seeing our students participating in the wide range of activities on offer. The deadline for enrolling in Co-Curricular is Sunday 9 July via the online form. As a reminder, it is compulsory for Year 7 and 8 students to participate in one academic and one non-academic Co-Curricular activity per term. Year 9 students are required to select at least one Co -Curricular per term and Year 10 students are encouraged to participate in the CoCurricular program. Co-Curricular activities are optional for students in Year 11 and 12.

The three-week holiday break provides the perfect opportunity for a uniform reset and I encourage all families to include a visit to the Uniform Shop to replenish any items that are in need of replacement. Currently, students are reporting lost ties and blazers as being an issue and many of our students need to lengthen their skirts so that they sit neatly on the knee. Tara Uniforms are located at 1 Hasler Road, Osborne Park and are open business hours, Monday – Friday, throughout the holidays.

conclude Term Two. I was reminded as I wandered through Supreme Court Gardens in the beautiful sunshine of a wonderful quote - “Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you.” – Mary Lou

Retton

Stay positive, stay happy, be the happiness magnet for everyone around you and soak up the opportunity to relax and enjoy the holidays!

We look forward to seeing all students back on campus for Term Three on Tuesday 25 July.

Mrs Tina Campbell Principal

Chaplain’s Corner

Reverend Dr Gift Makwasha

Greetings from your school Chaplain. Term Two was busy! In Chapel, we helped students to be positive and buoyant as exams, tests and assessments added to their student to-do-list. Therefore, I congratulate our students for successfully completing this full and rewarding term as they now head into holidays.

The resilience, determination and courage to succeed, displayed by our young people throughout Term Two, was amazing. On Monday, at the last assembly of term, School Captains unveiled the school theme for Term Three as OPTIMISM, from the letter “O” of this year’s overall school theme, G.R.O.W!

This term we emphasised RESILIENCE from the letter “R”, which in many ways accounts for the resilient spirit displayed by both teachers and students. Next term in chapel we will be talking a lot about the importance of being optimistic.

I encourage parents to chat with children on Monday evenings. Ask them about what they learned in chapel. Let us together build not just resilient characters in them, but also equip them with the tools that can help them to be resilient, because remaining optimistic in the face of challenges is an important part of the journey of life.

The scripture I would like to share with you as we look forward to talks about being optimistic is Isaiah 40:31, which says: “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”

Hope and hoping in the Lord will feature a lot in our talks in chapel next term, because it is our faith in God which keeps us going. Even on a dark, rainy and foggy day, with hope we remain optimistic that the blur is temporary and we will soon be humming along to the well known Jimmy Cliff lyrics, “I can see clearly now the rain is gone … Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind. It’s gonna be a bright (bright) sunshiny day!”

Happy Holiday!

OPPORTUNITY TO BE BAPTISED, CONFIRMED OR BOTH!

I am very pleased to let you know that I will be offering Baptism and Confirmation classes next term.

These will be for students who would like to be baptised, confirmed or both. There are 10 classes in total, continuing into Term Four.

I will be offering these as a Co-Curricular activity on either Tuesdays or Thursdays, 3:30 –4:30 pm, depending on what would be the most convenient day for those who register.

As School Chaplain it is my wish that we equip students with the biblical and spiritual knowledge they need in their life journey both within an Anglican School and beyond. Proverbs 22.6 urges us as parents and guardians to start our children off on the way they should go, so that even when they are grown, they do not stray into the wrong ways. In the classes, students will learn about Anglican Identity, why we get baptised and confirmed and what our responsibilities in the community are as baptised people.

The Baptism and Confirmation Service will be led by Archbishop Kay Goldsworthy, Bishop of Perth, on the Feast of Christ the King, at St George’s Anglican Cathedral on Sunday 26 November, 10:00 to 11:30am.

If you would like your child to be baptised, confirmed or both, please respond to my letter (sent to all families) or you can access the form HERE. Consent forms must be returned by Monday 24 July by email or alternatively send me a Direqt Message.

Father Gift

Curriculum Update

Anthony Bochrinis

Year 9 and 10 Academic Reports

Many thanks to our Year 9 and Year 10 students for all of their wonderful work this semester. Our Year 9 and Year 10 Academic and Instrumental Reports will be made live on SEQTA Engage and SEQTA Learn for families to view on Monday 3rd July.

Additionally, our Year 10 students will receive their Year 11 2024 Prerequisite Subject Selection form to begin their discussions and deciding on course choices for next year.

Year 10 Parent Information Evening

Mark your calendars! On Wednesday 26 July from 6:00pm to 7:30pm, we will be hosting our Year 10 Parent Information Evening here at the School. On this night, we will discuss and share information with both Year 10 students and their families regarding the Year 11 2024 Subject Selection Process which will be starting next term.

All our Heads of Learning Area and Course Coordinators will be present on this night to participate in a Q&A panel and all our Year 10 families and students are invited. Keep an eye out for further details!

Year 12 ATAR Holiday Study

An extended three-week break looks a little differently for our Year 12 ATAR students with Mock Exams only 10 weeks away! Mock Examinations are the highest weighted assessment for Year 12 ATAR students that are typically weighted between 20% and 30%

of final grades. Therefore, over this holiday break, it is quite normal for Year 12 ATAR students to be spending at least half of their time resting and rejuvenating and the other half honing one’s strict study routine as we rapidly approach final exams.

Our best advice now that our students are well and truly into their Unit 4 studies is to begin completing a wealth of past WACE exam papers that pre-date back to 2016 - that’s 7 whole years of past papers!

Our recommendation is that students use this holiday break to answer all questions and mark their responses for at least 2 of the 7 past papers for each of their ATAR subjects. A reminder that the marking of a past paper attempt is more important than the attempt itself! Diligent marking and reflecting on lost marks is critical to assist in one’s final preparation for ATAR Examinations. Also, it is vital to remember that students must complete practice papers under timed conditions as this is an additional factor that must be incorporated into preparation.

Year 7 and Year 12 Parent Teacher Interviews (Second Round)

Early in Term Three, we will be hosting the second round of Parent Teacher Interviews for this year.

Our face-to-face interviews are scheduled for the afternoon of 2nd August, and remote interviews via Microsoft Teams will be conducted on the afternoon of 8th August.

Just as previously we encourage students to attend with their parents as it is by working together that we achieve more and the student is always the most important part of this three way conversation.

Pastoral Focus

Hilton Hardman

The Link Between Attendance and Student Outcomes

We would like to emphasise the importance of student attendance. Recent research has confirmed a strong link between attendance and student success. While we understand that certain absences are unavoidable due to illness, state selection, planned family holidays and the like many absences are preventable. These could be unexplained or unauthorised absences, which can have negative consequences on your child’s educational journey.

Poor school attendance has been associated with various short and long-term adverse outcomes for students. These outcomes include lower academic performance, increased likelihood of early school leaving, engagement in substance use and negative health outcomes. It is important to note that these factors are often interconnected, and the causes of low attendance can also independently contribute to some of these negative outcomes.

Regular absences from school can serve as a critical indicator of disengagement, directly leading to adverse consequences for many of our young people.

Regardless of the specific relationship between attendance and these outcomes, it is crucial to recognise that poor school attendance, especially when accompanied by a high number of unexplained or unauthorised absences, serves as an observable warning sign for potential long-term negative effects on your child’s future.

To ensure that we maintain a strong line of communication, we want to inform you that Heads of Year or myself may reach out to you regarding these unexplained absences or consistently low attendance rates should your child have a low attendance rate for Semester One. Our hope is that by working together, we can address any attendance issues promptly and provide the necessary support to ensure your child’s continued educational success.

Please find below an overview of the overall impact that accumulated days absent or days late can have on your child’s academic journey throughout their school life:

Benefits of Vertical PCGs

The vertical PCG system here at St George’s is something that we cherish. Extended PCG time occurs weekly, but this last week’s activity was a chance to celebrate cross year group friendships and connections.

All students enjoyed an outing to nearby cafes and venues for Extended PCG on Wednesday, tucking into lunch and leisure activities. What a lovely way to end the term.

As Head of Pastoral I wish staff, students and families a wonderful three week break.

Heads of Year Reports

Year 7 and 8

As we conclude a productive semester, it is important to acknowledge the importance of engaging in rest and quiet time during the upcoming holidays. This will allow students to “switch off”, recharge and return to school ready to engage in Semester Two. A few ideas which might assist with “switching off” are:

• Clear your school bag of paper and food and put the bag away, out of sight.

• Record the code for your lock somewhere safe so as not to think about it again.

• Wash and hang your school uniform. Order any uniform items that might be needed for Term 3 and checking that all items are in good repair..

Year 9 and 10

It was a busy term and we have so much to celebrate. Our Year 10s have done fabulously well during Work Experience Week. For many of them this was the first time in a workplace and they really did St George’s proud. Thank you to families who helped find them placements, and Mrs Tagore for the immense amount of organisation required behind to scene to ensure the success of this inaugural work experience week.

I had the pleasure of organising and taking our Year 9 students to their social last week. Thankfully the weather held off and they were able to enjoy a round of mini golf, with some pizza also. We were able to see new friendships forming, social skills developing and some questionable golfing tactics. I would like to thank Miss

Year 11 and 12

As we bid farewell to another eventful term, we would like to remind parents that all reports have been sent out. We encourage students to take some time to reflect on their academic achievements and challenges of the past term. This is a great opportunity to set new goals and strategies in preparation for Term Three. Remember that with determination and focus, you can achieve remarkable things!

Our Year 12s are now in the final stretch of their schooling journey and it’s crucial to remain dedicated to studies and preparation. Term Three is just around the corner, and your hard work and perseverance now will pay off as you approach this significant milestone in your lives.

As we embark on a relaxing three-week break, we would like to extend our warmest wishes to all students and their families. This

• Clear and organise your laptop. Bin documents that are not needed, delete games that are wasting space. Then close SEQTA, log out of school emails and put the laptop away!

• Spend time outdoors, set a timer for screens and revisit those hobbies, craft activities, baking challenges or sports that might have fallen by the wayside during the school term.

• Take time to reflect on Semester One. What worked well? What didn’t work well? What might you change? What will you do differently? What will you keep doing? What do you want to achieve academically by the end of the year?

Thank you for your support this semester, I look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Tuesday 25 July 2023.

Ms Taryn Sephton Head of Year 7 and 8

Higgins, Mrs Taylor, Ms Donovan and Mr Heath for their help on the night.

Finally, I say the biggest thank you for all of the kind and thoughtful messages regarding my departure from St George’s Anglican Grammar School at the end of this term. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the students and families of Year 9 and 10s and wish Mr Conrad Sloan all the very best for next term. I am confident that he will be brilliant in this role.

And lastly, goodbye wonderful students - you have such charisma, humour and passion for life and I wish you all the best going into Semester Two and beyond. I take with me many happy memories of my time here at St George’s.

Miss Katie Wilkinson

Head of Year 9 and 10

break is well-deserved for everyone’s commitment and efforts throughout the term. Take this time to rejuvenate, spend quality moments with loved ones and engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfilment. Remember, self-care is essential for one’s overall wellbeing.

In the spirit of hard work and determination, we leave you with a quote from the renowned Ted Lasso: “Be curious, not judgmental”. This reminds us to approach challenges with an open mind and embrace the learning journey, both academically and personally. Embracing hard work and a positive attitude will lead to ongoing growth and success.

We look forward to welcoming you all back refreshed and motivated for an outstanding Term Three.

Stay safe, enjoy your break and please do take care of yourselves.

Mr Peter Quan Head of Year

11 and 12

G ANDHI HOUSE LINCOLN HOUSE MANDELA HOUSE

Reflecting on the recent House Week, it was uplifting to see the high-spirited participation of our students. We are proud to announce that we clinched second place in the Newspaper Fashion Show and came in third overall for the week. With sights set on next term, we anticipate an exciting House Week and an electrifying Interschool Athletics Carnival. Our house has the privilege and pressure of defending our victorious title from last year’s Athletics Carnival. We are confident our determined Gandhites will rise to the challenge. As we look towards the three-week break, we encourage everyone to rest, rejuvenate, and return ready for the demands of a new term.

Have a safe and joyous break, Gandhi House! Until next term, let’s keep the Gandhi spirit alive.

Mr Alex Hanssen Acting Head of Gandhi House

Term Two has been an extremely busy one for Lincoln House. Starting with the Interhouse Preforming Arts Festival, we had the sausage sizzle at Wellington Square, Lincoln House Sundowner, Cross Country, PCG events, House Week and more!

This week we were able to celebrate the end of the term, with Lincoln Charity Day. The event was held at the Supreme Court Gardens where, luckily, we were blessed with lovely weather. The students were able to participate in a variety of sports games and inflatables, as well as being able to sit with their friends and purchase food from different food trucks.

Once again, we are raising money for Headspace to support the mental health and wellbeing of all young Australians. As of writing this article we are currently at $550 of our $1000 target. The link has only been open a week and I am once again blown away by the generosity of the St George’s Anglican Grammar School Community. If you have not yet donated, you can find the page using the following link: 2023 Lincoln Charity Day Fundraising.

Lincoln House ended the term extremely strong winning two out of the three House week events.Thank you to all the Lincoln students that have supported the House over Term Two.

I hope everybody has a happy and safe school holiday.

Mr Vincent Lim Head of Lincoln House

To finish this term, Mandela House had what is now becoming a traditional pancake filled morning breakfast.

Thank you to all students in Ms Scheele’s (M5) and Miss Hewitt’s (M6) PCG, as well as other students in the House for cooking pancakes for everyone in Mandela before school. It was a great way to celebrate our achievements and allow students the opportunity to socialise with others in the House.

I would just like to thank all students and staff for a great semester and term. I am immensely proud of all students in our House for their incredible hard work, participation and kindness to each other.

Mandela House has had so many positive connections amongst staff and students, which was recapped by our House Captains in the last Dragon Newsletter. Please keep an eye out for the Mandela Newsletter for this term which will be in your ‘in boxes’ very soon.

Let’s bring in Semester Two even stronger and hit the ground running with the Athletics Carnival in Week Two. Happy holidays.

Mr Tom Dempers Head of Mandela House

The Wonders of Work Experience Week

This week Year 10 students had a remarkable opportunity to step out of the classroom and into the professional world through a diverse range of work experience placements. From local city shops to hospitals and recording studios, our students delved into various industries, gaining valuable insights, and honed their skills for future education and career prospects.

The work experience program at St George’s opened doors to various work environments, each providing unique learning opportunities for our students. Some students found themselves behind the counter of bustling coffee shops, mastering the art of espresso and customer service. Others had the privilege of working with Anglicare, a renowned organisation committed to serving the community, where they contributed to meaningful projects that improved the lives of others.

a knack for creativity and digital media had the opportunity to create engaging social media content for the recording studio, gaining hands-on experience in marketing and content creation.

Work experience plays a vital role in shaping a student’s education and career outlook for the future. These placements offer lessons that cannot be replicated within the confines of a classroom. The benefits are multifaceted and extend beyond mere job exposure. It was wonderful to be able to launch this program at St George’s in 2023.

The work experience program at St George’s Anglican Grammar School provides a transformative opportunity to explore different industries, develop essential skill and be involved in the working world.

For those aspiring to the teaching profession, being a teacher’s assistant at local primary schools allowed students to witness firsthand the intricacies of classroom management and develop an understanding of the responsibilities involved in shaping young minds. Meanwhile, one drama enthusiast thrived as an assistant drama technician at Hale School, discovering the behind-thescenes magic of a large theatre.

Exploring the healthcare sector, one of our students shadowed doctors in the trauma unit of a prominent hospital. Witnessing the intensity and dedication required in emergency medical care, our student witnessed the medical profession’s impact on people’s lives.

In the realm of music and sound engineering, students embraced the role of sound engineering assistants in a recording studio, delving into the technical aspects of music production and honing their skills in capturing and editing sound. Additionally, those with

The result is to gain a clearer understanding of their own passions and strengths but also develop the soft skills necessary for success in any field. These experiences are stepping stones toward future employment, university placements and personal growth.

I hope the Year 10 students had fun and I look forward to reading their journals and hearing of their experiences on their return.

Mrs Sharan Tagore APEx, Careers and Curriculum Coordinator

National NAIDOC Week celebrations - held across Australia in the first week of July each year - celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. We can support and get to know our local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events. The theme for 2023 is “For Our Elders”.

The Laurence Library will celebrate NAIDOC Week with a display of Indigenous writer’ works and informative eboards. Year 11 Literature students are currently reading True Country by local Noongar writer Kim Scott. This novel explores the journey of the protagonist to find his place in the remote north of Western Australia. We have more of his novels in our senior fiction collection. Kim Scott says of his writing: “I’d like to think that writing fiction is sometimes a way

to explore, to rethink and possibly to retrieve or create something from between and behind the lines on the page. As such it can help the revitalisation and regeneration of an Indigenous heritage, in so far as it involves ‘shaking up’ and making space within the most readily available language— that of the coloniser—for other ways of thinking.”

Read more about Kim Scott HERE

Our Year 12 Literature students read Andrew McGahan’s The White Earth this year. This novel explores the impact of settlement on indigenous peoples in Queensland. Written from a European perspective, this novel’s themes are of colonialism and a failure of reconciliation. This is also an interesting and confronting read. For our students the Library offers a place to learn about and explore other worlds, other times and other lives. Through their exploration they learn and grow.

Together, let us read.

Dr Annette Pedersen Library Services Coordinator

Off to Samoa

Eight St George’s Grammar students are spending the holidays immersed in the culture of this developing country in the Pacific Islands. Along with service learning at Samoa’s All Saint Anglican School and community-based projects, they will swim over coral reefs and head to the mountains. Almost 30 students from six ASC schools (WA, Victoria and NSW) are on the trip. Pictured are some of our travellers receiving their official T-shirts. Safe travels, Rory, Tahli, Lara, Maia, Meg, Lani, Alice and Joss! We can’t wait to hear all about it!

26 students, from St George’s, have signed up already and they have raised $630 so far. We hope to make this our biggest group ever, so please sign up if you are interested in getting involved.

The link to the St George’s Team page is HERE.

Register Now!

Around the School

Chinese Language and Culture Excursion

beauty salons, hairdressers, restaurants and, of course, bubble tea! We stopped for a 20-minute break and students were challenged to work out the characters used on the menu for the many bubble teas. Then it was on to the Chinese Arch on Roe St, the symbolic entry to China Town.

Thanks to the wonderful teachers who volunteer their time for the Chinese Language Teachers’ Association of WA, 17 of our Year 8 and 9 students joined several schools on a Chinese Language and Culture Excursion through Northbridge.

The best part of the day was left until last. Our students enjoyed a dim sum lunch with more than 100 students from other schools, all of whom are also learning Chinese. Students were encouraged to ask questions of each other and give their opinion on the food in Chinese.

It was a delightful, sunny day. Thank you to the wonderful students who represented St George’s so well!

Mrs Danielle de Witt Foreign Languages Coordinator

Year 9 Social

We started by exploring a Chinese supermarket, buying some snacks and eating various flavours of chips and drinks that can’t be found in Woolworths or Coles. Then it was off to Washing Lane where we learnt that the area was named not after a laundromat but a furniture store located there from 1924 until 1953, owned by the Wah-Shing family. It is understood that the family name was changed during the period of the White Australia policy.

During the walk around Northbridge, students had to work out the meaning of the characters on signs for shops and restaurants. Most were surprised by the variety of businesses, such as butchers,

The Year 9s arrived at Wembley Golf Course looking fantastically excited - perhaps due to the smell of pizza! A private bus took us to the mini-golf course, where it was a delight to see the students bond with their peers, make trick shots and support each other’s best attempts to get a hole-in-one. Their behaviour was impeccable, and I was a very proud Head of Year to see all of the smiling faces walking around the green.

A big thank you to our parents and guardians who supported them in attending the event.

Miss Katie Wilkinson Head of Year 9

And . . . more Golf

holes at Lake Claremont Golf Course as culmination of the unit. The students have enjoyed the experience, and some have started playing golf on the weekends.

Over the course of this term, the Year 12 Apex Physical Education Class has been practising their driving and putting skills at Wembley Golf Course and were also fortunate enough to complete nine

Along the way, some students met an 87-year-old golfer who plays twice a week and started her golf journey at the age of 12 at St Andrews in Scotland. She passed on her expertise to some of our golfers - another amazing interaction we have as a school that uses the city as our campus.

Ms Jodie Scheele Head of Learning Area - HPE

ACC Winter Carnivals

The majority of our Year 7-10 students took part in the North Western Associated Schools (NWAS) Winter One Day Carnivals on 20 and 21 June. It was pleasing to see so many students excited to participate in the event. What a sensational couple of days we had – being transported to six different venues to compete in:

• Boys Soccer

• Girls Soccer

• Badminton

• Touch Rugby

• Girls Netball

• Mixed Netball

We played against John Septimus Roe, Aranmore Catholic College, Mercy College, Carmel School, Emmanuel Christian Community School and Kingsway Catholic College. Many thanks to the students who stepped into official roles by coaching and umpiring teams and also to the St George’s Staff who supervised on the days.

We played hard and enjoyed the challenge of the competition. It was two days of fabulous sportsmanship by our squads.

Lyn Foreman visits

The St George’s Athletics season is under way with all students running, jumping and throwing at UWA Sports Park for their PE classes.

We were fortunate to have decorated athlete Lyn Foreman visit our Year 8 classes.

The former champion hurdler who competed for WA and Australia in the Commonwealth and Olympic Games, took our Year 8s through the circular relay baton changeover and imparted some expert knowledge with the class.

The Interhouse Athletics Carnival will be held at UWA Sports Park on 3 August and the ACC Athletics Carnival in on 4 September.

I encourage all families to come along and experience the St George’s collegial spirit at its finest.

Ms Jodie Scheele Head of Learning Area - HPE

Peter Moyes Anglican Community School hosted the ASC Rock Concert last Friday, featuring bands from ASC schools including our rock bands from Year 7 to 12. The event showcased the talent of these young musicians and created a day of fantastic musical performances.

impact that music and creative expression can have in fostering confidence, teamwork, resilience, discipline and a sense of accomplishment.

The concert not only entertained but also served as a reminder of the importance of music in schools. It demonstrated the positive

From the impressive Year 7 band to the seasoned musicians of our talented Year 12 Rock Band, the concert captivated the audience with diverse genres and outstanding skills. It celebrated the dedication and teamwork of the students, teachers and the St George’s music community.

The event left a lasting impression, highlighting the vibrant music culture at St. George’s School and the incredible potential of our musicians.

A wonderful day was had by all – staff and students alike.

Mr Michael Newton Head of Learning Area – Performing Arts

Science

As Term Two ends, it is a perfect time to reflect on another successful semester in the Science Department.

Students have been working hard in their classes, using the laboratories to their full extent. Year 9s engaged in an eye dissection to assist their learning of light. The students were very brave, and fully engaged in the dissection. Year 12 Physics students also explored light and lasers, carefully determining the exact width of a human hair (75.7 microns to be exact) using precision and complex calculations.

Homework Club has been staffed by Science teachers each week, and it was heartening to see students from 7–12 access teachers for help with questions and exam preparation. This commitment from Science continues next term, and all students are encouraged to take advantage of this resource to help them improve and build in confidence in Science understanding and communication.

Year 9s have completed the Marine and Maritime unit. Each student researched a local marine species and designed and built a functional fishing lure specific to the species’ biology. The end products were very impressive! Year 10s finished their Psychology Unit, with a final lesson about schizophrenia and undertook a film study showing the portrayal of John Nash’s battle with schizophrenia.

Next term we look forward to our annual celebration of National Science Week!

Stay tuned to hear about all the activities you can get involved with, and the opportunities to win some Sciencey prizes!

Happy Holidays and Happy Science!

Mrs Charlotte Donovan Head of Learning Area - Science.

Humanities

Year 12 Biology students went to Perth Zoo last week,undertaking a classroom lesson on Homeostasis, where they were given an insight into how the content they learn in class has application into real life Science. The students were also fortunate to have an animal encounter with a Stimpson Python, an experience not to be taken for granted! They explored the zoo for the remainder of the day, learning about the different ways that animals can regulate their temperature, water and salt concentrations.

The Nobel Pathway continues to enrich Science students at St George’s. Our Year 7s undertook their Mythbusters unit and worked hard in groups busting some popular myths including how many elastic bands it takes to cut an orange (153 in total!), and which animal has more bacteria in their saliva: dogs or cats (and the answer was dogs!).

Three classes of business-minded Year 11 and 12 students took a short walk to the Department of Treasury to learn directly from economists about WA Government expenditure and investment.

We were warmly welcomed to the 23rd floor of the David Malcolm Justice Centre in Barrack St and our students heard from three economists who explained “the hidden side of everything . . . what really makes the world go round’’.

Topics included tourism campaigns, the recent State Budget and an insight into WA’s most valuable exports.

It was a wonderful afternoon bringing Economics to life.

Many thanks to the Treasury team for an insightful lesson followed by afternoon tea.

Three students from St George’s have been chosen to exhibit their work in the 20th annual St George’s Cathedral Art Exhibition. Congratulations to Eliana Roscoe (2D-drawing), Suzy Parker-Griffin (3D- ceramic sculpture) and Mikayla Sherman (Digital –photograph).

This exhibition is one of the most important art education events on the WA student art calendar and provides an outstanding opportunity for secondary schools to present students’ work in the unique “gallery” of St George’s Cathedral.

Prizes generously provided by private donors will be awarded to selected works by a prestigious panel of judges. The students gain valuable experience from participating in this exhibition and the catalogue provides a welcome addition to each artist’s portfolio.

The exhibition is open to all art and design students in Years 10, 11 and 12 in all educational sectors.

The exhibition is open to the public from Saturday 15 July – Sunday 23 July, 10am-4pm daily (Sunday 12-4pm), entry by gold coin donation.

I encourage you to take time in the holidays to go along and visit.

Ms Fabrianne Brown Acting Head of Learning Area - Creative Arts

Sydnee Gould Year 12

BRAVERY AWARD

Lincoln Captain Sydnee Gould has been honoured for bravery after rescuing an abalone fisherman.

The surf lifesaver (pictured bekow with her father Darren) received a Silver Medallion for Bravery Lifesaver’s Award in her first full season as a patrolling surf lifesaver for Mandurah Surf Lifesaving Club.

The Year 12 St George’s student had volunteered for abalone patrols at Halls Head during the last patrol of the season when she witnessed a fisherman washed off the reef by a large set of waves.

Swept into a treacherous area known as the “washing machine” due to its sudden drop-off and turbulent, multidirectional currents, the swimmer struggled against the wash and was constantly submerged under the water.

Without hesitation and armed only with a rescue tube, Sydnee went to the aid of the man, swimming under the water to pull him to the surface before securing him with her tube. Swimming him back to the reef for respite, the man was unable to board the waiting Jet Ski. With assistance from the Jet Ski driver, they were able to swim the man back to shore for first aid treatment.

Sydnee received her award at the fifth biannual Coastal Bravery Awards, attended by more than 160 guests who saw

31 individuals recognised for acts of bravery performed on the WA coast.

Congratulations Sydnee. St George’s joins with Surf Life Saving WA to commend you on your rescue efforts.

Amelie McKeon Year

10

SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Amelie McKeon has been selected to represent WA in the 2023 Swimming 13-19 Years Championship.

The team will compete at the School Sport Australia National Championships in Sydney in late August.

The manager of School Sport (Department of Education), Peter Smith, said State representation is “an honour and often represents a significant steppingstone in the ultimate achievement of senior and national selection’’.

Congratulations on all your hard work Amelie.

Aelwen Johnstone Year 10

WORLD FORUM SPEAKER

The US capital Washington DC awaits our Year 10 student and “Millennium Kid’’ Aelwen Johnstone who has been chosen to speak at an international environmental conference.

After submitting an “abstract” to the World Forum on Urban Forests through her connection with the Millennium Kids project, Aelwen was successful in acquiring a speaking slot to present at the forum in Washington DC in October.

Chosen from hundreds of submissions and assessed by a scientific committee, Aelwen’s winning topic was: “The role of youth voice in urban greening for climate adaptation and mitigation: A Millennium Kids Green Lab case study”.

Aelwen’s 12-minute talk will take place on the third day of the conference, which runs from 13 to 23 October. Congratulations also on raising $2000 so far towards the costs through Millennium Kids fundraisers.

An amazing effort, Aelwen.

Mai Kajita

Year 9

Baseball WA has selected St George’s Year 9 student Mai as a member of the U15 Pony Girls World Series team representing WA at the 2023 Japan World Series in Tochigi.

Mai, who is in Mandela House, will form part of the first-ever World Series Pony Girls Baseball team, competing from 31 July to 7 August.

We wish Mai the best of luck!